At least eight workers have been killed and several others critically injured following a blast at a steel plant in south-east India. The accident occurred at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant in the port city of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, at around 4:30 PM IST (12:00 PM BST) on Monday.
Details of the Incident
A ladle carrying molten steel exploded at the melting facility, causing tonnes of steel heated to approximately 1,600 degrees Celsius to spill across the floor. This triggered a massive fire, according to India's Central Industrial Security Force. Eight workers were killed at the scene, and six others were left seriously injured, the PTI news agency reported, citing officials. Most of the injured suffered burns to more than 70 percent of their bodies, with some so badly burned that they have not yet been identified, local media reported.
Workers and Union Response
Approximately 18 workers were at the plant at the time of the explosion. Trade union leaders have blamed the accident on staff shortages amid ongoing privatisation efforts. Ayodhyaram, a trade union leader, told The Indian Express: 'The number of workers has been decreasing at the plant even as the production output remains the same. In the past, 6,000 contract workers were removed from their jobs, 2,000 took voluntary retirement, and 5,000 retired, leaving just 8,800 workers to produce 18,000 tonnes of molten metal every day. No one cares how we meet targets. Accidents are bound to happen when workers' welfare is not taken into consideration.'
Government Response
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sadness over the accident, posting on X: 'Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Praying that the injured recover at the earliest.' He announced an ex gratia payment of two lakh rupees (approximately £1,568) from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund to the next of kin of each deceased worker. Each injured worker will receive 50,000 rupees (about £392).
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said he was 'distressed' by the incident, writing on X: 'I have spoken to the concerned officials and directed them to undertake relief measures in coordination with all government departments.'
